Device for handling tongs in well drilling derricks



c. E. wlLcox 1,842,225 DEVICE FOB HANDLING TONGS IN WELL DRILLING DERRICKS Jan. A19, 1932.

Filed OCI'.. 16, 1929 Patented Jan. 19, 1932 Y 1 i stares ra'renr errant;

CHARLES E. XVILCOX, F LOG BEACH, CALIFORNIA DEVICE FOR HANDLING TONGS IN VJELL DRIJLING' DERRICKS Application led October 16, 1929. Serial No. 399,985.V

This invention relates to a tool handling The various objects and features of my indevice and relates more particularly to a devention will be best and more fully undervice for handling tongs in a well drilling stood from the following detailed description derriclr. j of a typical form and application of the in- During the course of drilling a well with vention, throughout Awhich description refer- 55 the rotary method, the drill stem is coupled enc-e is had to the accompanying drawings, together and uncoupled many. times. Heavy in which: tongsare employed to engage coupling parts 1 is aside view of a typical well drillto set and break the connections. The tongs ing rig showing the device provided by the EN are suspended in the derriclr by lines, there invention mounted in operating position. 60 being one pair of tongs used to hold the drill ig. 2 is a horizontal detailedsectional view stein against rotation and another operated of a portion of the derriclr, being a view taken to brealr or set the joint. The tongs that as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 are operated or moved are usually manually is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional returned to their normal position before beview of the device being a view taken as 65 ing again user. As the tongs are extremely .indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is heavy it is more or less diilicult to return a detailed transverse sectional view taken as them to their normal unactuated position. indicated by line ton Fig. 3. `Fig. 5 is It is a general object of the invention to an enlarged detailed transverse sectional view provide a device for returning apair of tongs taken as indicated `by line 5-5 on Fig. 3 70 to the unactuated position after being emand Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed transverse lloyed to rotate a coupling member, or the sectional view taken on line 66 on Fig. 3. like, in a well drilling rig. A rlhe portion of the Well drilling rig illuslt is an other object of the invention to trated in the drawings includes, generally, a

471 provide a device for returning tongs to the derrick 10 having corner posts 1l and spaced 75 normal position after operation that is parhorizontal girders 12 exten-dingbetween the ticularly effective and convenient to operate. posts 11, a derrick floor 13, a rotary table Another object` of the invention is to pro- 14 at the center of the derrick floor 13, and ide a device of the character mentioned that other parts commonly found in well drilling "fl does not occupy any space on the lioor of the rigs. I have illustrated a drilling string 15 80 derrielr and therefore does not interfere with extending through the rotary table and into the various operations of the rig. the derrick. The portion of the drilling Another object of the invention is to prostring illustrated is composed of two lengths vide a device ofthe character mentioned that of pipe joined together by a tool joint 16.

if embodies means for setting' it against opera- The vlower section of the tool joint 16 is 85 tion. gripped by a pair of tongs 17 suspended by another object of the invention is to proa line or cable from an elevated part of the vide adevice of the character mentioned that derriclr and held against rotative movement may be controlled to allo-w the tongs to reby a line 18 attached to the handle of the tongs main at any desired position. and secured to a stationary part of the der- 90 Another object of the invention is to prorick. A second tongs 2O is suspended from vide a device for returning tongs to the unthe derrick by a cable 21 and is shown in gripactuated position that is adapted to be ping engagement with the upper section of mounted in a derriclr so as to be, adjustable the tool joint 16. The tongs is adapted 4" vertically. to be operated by aline to rotate the upper 95 Another Object of the invention is to pro section of the joint to either set or loosen vide a tong handling device of the character the connection. The line (not shown) for mentioned that is of improved construction operating the tongs 20 may be operated in the v and is particularly simple and inexpensive usual manner by a joint breaker, ca t head, or of manufacture. the like. 100

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The present invention is concerned primarily with a device for returning tongs to the unactuated position after being employed to rotate a part such as a pipe, coupling, tool joint section, etc. In the following disclosure I will describe the invention as used in connection with the tongs 20, and employed principally to return the tongs 2O to their normal unactuated position. lt is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular application or forni about to be described, but is to be taken as including, any features or modifi cations that may fall within the scope of the claims.

VEhe device provided by the present invention includes, generally, a body 22, a. line 23 to be attached to the tongs 2O and extending into the body 22, means 24 within the body for operating the line 23 to shift the tongs to their normal position adjacent the body 22, latch means 25 for holding the means 24. against operation, and means 26 for setting the line against movement relative to the body.

rPhe body 22 of the device carries the other parts and is intended to be arranged in the dei-rick l0. The body 22 includes an elongate tubular part 27 to be arranged substantially vertically and a sheave housing 28 at the low er end of the tubular part. The tubular part 27 may be a length of pipe, or the like, and is preferably comparatively long. The part 27 may be arranged in any'suitable Vmanner in the dei-rick and is preferably arranged so that the housing 2S at its lower end is at a convenient height for the operators. In the drawings I have shown the tubular part arranged between the horizontally spaced girders l2 of the derrick. In the particular case illustrated in the drawings the part 27 extends vertically between the spaced girders l2 of two vertically spaced pairs of girders. The tubular part 27 may tit between the horizontally spaced girders of each pair of girders and may be held against lateral or horizontal movement by bolts 27Jv extending horizontally between the spaced girders at opposite sides of the part 27. A tubular fitting or reducer 29 may be threaded on the upper end of the part 27 and an eye bolt 30 may be threaded into the upper end of the reducer. in the preferred form of the invention the body 22 is suspended from an elevated partofthe derrick by means of a chain 3l attached to the eye bolt 30 and provided with a hook 32 at its upper end. The hook 32 may be arranged over a girder or girders of the derrick and may extend through a link of the cnain 3l. The hook may be arranged through various links of the chain to vary the height or position of the body 22.

The sheave housing 28 is carried at the lower end of the tubular part 27 and is provided to carry a sheave The housing 23 may have a substantially disc shaped hollow central portion having spaced side walls 34. An upwardly extending tubular projection is provided on the housing and is screw threaded on the lower end of the tubular part 27. The projection 35 is at one side or edge of the housing so that the central portion of the housing is offset from the tubular part 27 and is carried so that the side walls 34 eX- tend parallel with the tubular part 27. The sheave 33 is rotatably mounted between side walls 34 on a shaft or pin 36. The sheave 33 is Vmounted to rotate about a transverse or horizontal axis and is located so that its periphery is substantially in alignment with the central. longitudinal axis of the tubular part 27. The periphery of the sheave 33 is preferably provided with a groove Ll0 to carry the line 23. An opening 4l is provided in the housing to allow for the insertion of the sheave. An opening 42 is provided in the housing 28 to pass the line 23 into the body. The opening il2 is positioned so that the line 23 extends horizontally into the housing 28 and operates in the groove l0 of the sheave. In accordance with the present form of the invention a tubular projection or extension 43 extends outwardly from around the opening 42.

The line 23 may be any suitable form of Yflexible element, for example it may be a cable.

chain, or like flexible part. In the present case, the line 23 may be considered a stranded cable. The line 23 is preferably somewhat longer than the tubular part and may be any suitable length, depending upon the `positioning of the device relative to the tool to be operated. The line 23 may be provided at its end with suitable means for attachment to a pair of tongs, or other tool.

The means 2i, normally yielding, draws or urges the tongs 20, attached to the line 23, toward the body 22. The means 24 is in the form of spring means and includes, a stop in the lform of a socket applied to the end of the line 23 and slidable within the tubular part 27, and a helical spring 5l arranged under compression between the socket 50 and an annular shoulder 52 in the opening 53 of the tubular projection 35.

The socket 50 may be any suitable form of rope or cable socket and is securely attached to the end of the line 23. The socket 50 may be a tubular part having an upwardly divergent opening 54. The strands of the end portion of the line 23 may be set or retained inthe socket in any suitable manner, for instance, they may be separated or frayed in the opening 54 and cast or set in babbit, lead, or the like. The upper end of the socket 50 around the opening 54 is beveled inward and downward, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The spring 51 is sufficienttoward the body. In accordance with the ini: form of a lever or handle 65.

vention a resilient bumper or stop 55 is provided in the upper end of the tubular part 27 to limit the upward movement of the socket 50. The stop 5 may be carried within the reducer 29 and may extend into the part 27. The stop may be retained in position by a key or pin 56 extending transversely through the reducer and stop.

The latch means 25 for holding the actuating means 24 against operation is provided to hold the means 24 against operation when the line is extended so that the tongs 2O may be freely operated. The means 25 includes a latch carried on a pivot bolt 58 and is arranged between flanges59 of brackets 57 so that it is held against displacement.

The latch 60 is mounted to pivot about an axis transverse of the longitudinal axis of the tubular part 27 and has a head portion 6l at its upper end. The head is provided with a bill or lug 62 which is adapted to extend through an opening 63 in the side walls of the tubular part 27 and which has an upwardly and outwardly tapered face 64 at its inner end adapted to engage the beveled upper end of the socket 50. The face 64 is in clined so as to evenly seat on the upper' end of the socket.

rlhe lower portion of the latch 6() is in the The handle 65 extends downwardly and outwardly from the pivotal connection of the latch and is pro vided with an opening 66 adjacent its lower end to receive an operating line or rope. The

Y latch 60 is normally held in a position where the lug 62 is free of the opening 63 by a spring 67. ln the preferred form of the invention the spring 67 is in the nature of a U-shaped leaf spring. The spring 67 has one of its arms secured to t-he inner side or edge of the head 61 and its other arm in pressure engagement with the exterior of the tubular part 27. ln the construction described above, the face 64 and the upper end of the socket 50 are formed so as to lock together and resist the action of the spring` 67 when the latch is in the set position, such as illustrated in Fi 3 of the drawings.

rlhe means 26 for setting the line 23 against movement relative to the body 22 may he in the nature of any suitable form of cable clamp carried by the body to engage the line 23. ln the preferred form of the invention the means 26 includes a pivotally mounted clamp 7 0 mounted in the extension 43 to engage the line 23 in the opening 42. The clamp 70 is mounted in a transverse opening in the eX- tension 43 on a pivot pin 71. A cam part 73 is provided on the inner end of the clamp and is adapted to force the line 23 against the opposite wall of the opening 42. The wall of the opening 42 opposite the clamp 70 may be provided with a recess 74 into which the cam part 73 is adapted to force the line 23. A handle 75 is provided on the clamp 70.

AIn using the device provided by this: vention, the parts are initiallyv arranged as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. ln this posit-ion. the latch 6() is released and the clamp n 70 may either be set or released, depending upon the length of the line 23 and the relative positions of the handle of the tongs 2U vand the body 22 of the device. When the '60 may be released and the spring 51 will operate to move the socket to the upper end of the tubular part 27 and the tongs 2O will be returnedto a posit-ion adjacent the device.

It will be obvious that-the clamp 7 O may be operated tov prevent movement of the line 23 whenever desired.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, l do not wish to limit sie myself to the specific details set forth, but

wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims: i

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A device of the character described including, a body, a line adapted to be attached to a tool, means acting through the line for yieldingly urging a tool toward the body, and

means for holding the first-mentioned means against operation.

2. -A device of thecharacter described including, a body, a line adapted to be attached vtoa tool, means acting through the line for yieldingly urging a tool toward the body, and latch means for preventing operation of the'` line.`

3. A device of the character described including, a body, a line adapted to be attached to a tool, means acting through the line for yieldingly urging a tool toward the body, and clamp means for prevent-ing operation of the line.

4. A device of the character described including, a body, a line adapted to be attachedV to a tool, means acting through the line for yieldingly urging a tool toward the body, and means for holding the first-mentioned means against operation when the line is in an extended position.

5. A device of the character described including, a body, a line adapted to be attached toa tool, means acting through the line for yieldingly urging a tool toward the body 'izo and latch means for holding the irst-men-BO 

